Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1887-08-11
THE MORMON QUESTION.


There seems to be q lull in the
storm which at one time threatened
to blow the criminal features Of Nor.
monism out Of existence. Ever since
1882 there has been law Of Congress
providing severe penalties against pc.
lygamy, but that law has for years
been q dead letter in the Territories.
The reason hitherto given for a fail.
nre to enforce it has been a lack Of
effective court machinery and an in.
ability to obtain jurors that would
convict. The Poland bill aided to
some extent the defective jury system,
and the Edmunds law strengthen ed
the court machinery; but even then
something more vital was needed-it
required fearless and determined off.
ciAls to enforce the laws.
About three years ago a most Wig
,orous and determined onslaught was
made on the two criminal fortresses Of
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS and unlawful
cohabitation. Up to that time we
believe there had been but two or
three polygamy cases tried 10 the Ter
ritories, and none for uulawful oohab.
itation. To break down these two
criminal features was a gigantic un.
.dertaking. But brave and fearless
were the officials who undertook it.
The fight was begun in Utah-the
stronghold Of the enemy. The gal
liant Murray was then at the helm of
state, and he infused bis own strength
and vigor and patriotism into every
branch of the public service. Zane
had just entered the bench as Chief
Justice Of the Territory. He was ripe
in years, rich in legal learning, incor.
ruptible as a judge, and incompatible
as a patriot. Boreman had shortly
before resigned the position of Asso.
oiate Justice in disgust, but that noble
Roman was recalled from his retire.
ment and again donned the ermine
in hopes that future activity would
compensate for past inertuess. The
brilliant aud energetic Powers suo.
ceeded the weak and vacillating En-
erson in the Northern District, and
for the FIRST time in the history Of
Utah the Gentiles saw a judiciary or
ganized for business. Nor were tho
other branches of the public service
less effective or lacking in zeal to
enter the crusade. Dickson, United
States Attorney, had as his assistants
Varian in tho Salt Lake District,
Critchlow and young Zane in the
Beaver District, Sam. Lewis in the
Provo District, and Vic. Bierbower
in the Northern District. Ireland,
United States Marshal, had strength
ened his office for the occasion with
the veteran Captain Greenman at the
head of the Deputies, and ably as.
sisted by the experienced Wander
cook. The United States Com mis-.
sioners, under the lead of Mckay,
sign'hed their effectiveness by putting
bail in cases of unlawful oohabitation
at $500 and in polygamy cases at
$4,000. Jurors entered the jury box,
and whenever the evidence justified
it they promptly convicted. Over all
the fearless and intrepid Salt Lake
Tribune hurled its anathemas upon
the Mormon priesthood and created a
public sentiment that encouraged and
sustained these officials.
The Mormons at FIRST looked upon
this organized effort to enforce the
DAVIS as idle buster. They had met
the spemy before, and rather vel.
coined than evaded the contest. But
SO vigorous and determined was the
first attack, and so effective were its
results, that for the first time in forty
years the Mormons weakened. Tie
advantage gained in the 6rst on
slaught was pressed, and in less than
six months from the beginning of
vigorous and efficient enforcement OF
the law in Utsh, We saw the Mormons
on the run. The leaders deserted
their army and asd. Hundreds wero
arrested. Day and night the Mar
shals raided their polygamous homes,
and thousands took the Underground.
The penitentiary was crowded so full
Of them that the courts were obliged
TO continue cases from term to term
10 get room for new oonvcts. And
then the District Attorney and bis